2 Utah officers shot, suspect killed

Two officers were shot and a suspect was killed after a traffic stop in downtown Salt Lake City Friday morning

By PoliceOne Staff

SALT LAKE CITY — Two officers were shot and a suspect was killed after a traffic stop in downtown Salt Lake City Friday morning.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the shootout occurred after two officers stopped to investigate a vehicle containing a male driver and a male passenger. Officers ordered the passenger out of the car after becoming suspicious of the occupant’s answers during questioning.

34-year-old Christopher Leo Knight produced a handgun and began to open fire after exiting the vehicle.

One officer was hit in the leg and the other in the arm, Fox 13 reported. At least one of the officers then returned fire, killing Knight.

Both officers were transported to a nearby hospital.

“[The two officers] are stable and doing OK. One of them was actually able to radio in what had happened after being shot." Salt Lake City police Sgt. Robin Heiden said.

The officers have not been named. One is a nine-year veteran of the force. The other has been on the job for 18 months. Both are expected to recover, the Deseret News reported.